Setting up the WLANPi as a remote capture device for Mac OS over USB

I wanted the ability to bring up Wireshark and then start taking packet captures with my wlanpi from my Mac. I didn’t want to always have to sacrifice wireless connection while I was doing it. Since most recent Macs lack a dedicated ethernet interface and I don’t always have a dongle around with me. My requirements were though to keep everything as stock as possible so that all I would have to do is hook the wlanpi up to my machine ensure that it was running and then be able to take wireless packet captures.

  1. I copied over my public key to the wlanpi under the default address. I wanted it to be as simple as possible and why mess with the generic user: ssh-copy-id -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub wlanpi@wlanpi.local
  2. By following and using this wonderful github project from Adrian Granados there are only a few modifications that need to be made.
  3. When you are doing this part of his setup, the username will be wlanpi. $ sudo groupadd pcap
    $ sudo usermod -a -G pcap wlanpi
    $ sudo chgrp pcap /usr/sbin/tcpdump
    $ sudo chmod 750 /usr/sbin/tcpdump
    $ sudo setcap cap_net_raw,cap_net_admin=eip /usr/sbin/tcpdump
  4. servername is going to be wlanpi.local
    username is going to be wlanpi
    This is the tricky part you need to specify your private key in the config, but you can’t browse to your .ssh directory by default. So when you click on the … and it brings up the directory window you will do a “Command + Shift +G” and then in the search field type ~/.ssh

Passing the CWSP – PearsonVue Online

I passed the CWSP on my first try last week, which I was happy about. With Covid-19 running rampant and changing things I had to take the test at home with PearsonVue. I liked the idea of testing at home and ran through all of the steps for PearsonVue that they recommended. However that didn’t stop from needing to reboot my machine multiple times and have to spend quite a bit of time trying to get setup and talking to their online people over chat. It took about 30 minutes for them to finally present the test and for me to be able to take it online successfully.

Once I finally got the technical issues resolved with their service and I was able to take the test I was surprised at how quick it went and I was glad I could do it at home. Seeing as how it would have taken me longer to drive to and from the testing center than to take the test. The content was tough as I deal with it almost every day in regards to network security and trying to build a secure network

So now I get to display this logo:

Cwsp 200x200

My next exam is going to be the CWDP and given the fact that I am still working from home and testing centers aren’t open I will be taking this one also at home. Hopefully the whole testing experience will go better.

Retrieve SSID info from Meraki Wireless Network

I support multiple Meraki Wireless networks and I wanted the ability to pull in pertinent data from the wireless networks that I support. This will allow me to pull in the data and then upload it into the wireless mapping programs and design software. This will also allow me to easily pull the channels, power settings, SSIDs, and other pertinent information. Here is the link to my GitHub site where I will be keeping the most up to date program as I fix things and work to improve it.

#!/usr/bin/env python

#import necessary modules
import cred
import requests
#Meraki site information
MERAKI_DASHBOARD = 'https://api.meraki.com'
HEADERS = {'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key': (cred.key), 'Content-Type': 'application/json'}
#NETWORK = input(str("What network are we looking at? "))
NETWORK = cred.network
NETWORK_URL = MERAKI_DASHBOARD + '/api/v0/networks/%s/devices' % NETWORK
NETWORK_GET = requests.get(NETWORK_URL, headers=HEADERS)
NETWORK_RESPONSE = NETWORK_GET.json()
#Create a function pull in the information
def WIRELESS_SETTINGS():
WIRELESS_SETTINGS_URL = MERAKI_DASHBOARD + '/api/v0/networks/%s/devices/%s/wireless/status' % (NETWORK, DEVICE['serial'])
WIRELESS_SETTINGS_GET = requests.get(WIRELESS_SETTINGS_URL, headers=HEADERS)
WIRELESS_SETTINGS_RESPONSE = WIRELESS_SETTINGS_GET.json()
for SSIDS in WIRELESS_SETTINGS_RESPONSE['basicServiceSets']:
if SSIDS['enabled'] == True:
print("SSID " + (SSIDS['ssidName']) + " BAND " + (SSIDS['band']) + " BSSID " + str(SSIDS['bssid']) + " Channel " + str(SSIDS['channel']) + " Power " + str(SSIDS['power']))
#Loops through the network and the devices to find all of the information.
for DEVICE in NETWORK_RESPONSE:
if DEVICE['model'] == "MR42":
print("AP " + DEVICE['name'])
WIRELESS_SETTINGS()

Passing the CWAP

Last weekend I was able to pass the CWAP exam on my second attempt. The first time through the exam I was thrown by some of the questions and didn’t have as good a grasp on some of the random things that were asked for. So I spent 2 weeks between exam takes watching all of the videos again and then going through all of my notes and flash cards that I had made. I also spent a good amount of time looking at packet traces and figuring out where all of the information and how Transmit Beamforming works with NDP. Overall I felt it was a good exam even though it took me two times to pass it. I definitely feel a lot better now about the information and that I was able to absorb it for the exam. So now I get to use the cool CWAP image for things:Cwap 200x200 My next exam will be the CWSP exam as I work my through to the CWNP.

Here are some of the resources that I used while for the CWAP:
CWNP – Video training
CWNP – Practice Tests
WIFItraining – CWAP Workbook
CWNP – Official CWAP Study Guide

Review Powerbeats 2 Wireless

I am a runner and really enjoy being out in the morning before anyone is up and able to get some miles in before work. I enjoy running while listening to music or books on tape. I was using the Jaybird Bluebuds X headset, but decided I wanted something that would stay in my ears a little better so I got the Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless.

I loved the design and I loved the fact that they had an over the ear clip that helped them stay in my ear and still allowed me to use the phone controls and talk on the phone while running.

What I have decided that I don’t like is the fact that the bluetooth radio on them is really weak. If I have my phone on my right arm or in my spandex fanny peck depending on how I turn my head my music will cut in and out. It’s really distracting and kind of a pain. I have had the headphones replaced once already and while Apple support was great and immediately issued an RMA and sent me a replacement set of headphones I am still unhappy that the issue is still there. Not sure why there is such a weak radio in this headset as I didn’t have this issue with my Jaybirds.

That being said I still like how they stay in my ears better than the Jaybirds so to combat the problem I have had to move my arm holster to my left arm. This seems to have solved the issue and haven’t noticed the music cutting out once since I did this.

So overall impression is they have a good feel the controls work well, you just have to be wary of where the Bluetooth Source is and that it might cut out on you.